The Federal Government, Nigerian Bar Association and United Nations Children’s Fund have moved to tackle barriers preventing vulnerable children from accessing justice across Nigeria.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja during the launch of a pro bono legal service partnership between the NBA and UNICEF.
The partnership is aimed at mobilising lawyers to provide free legal representation to children whose rights have been violated and those who come into contact with the justice system.
Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, at the event, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ayoola Daniels, said no child should be left behind in the country’s justice reforms.
Fagbemi said access to justice was a fundamental right of every child.
“Access to justice is not a privilege but a foundational right of every child,” he said.
He said children who came into contact with the law as victims, witnesses or alleged offenders deserved a justice system that protected rather than harmed them.
The AGF said the National Policy on Justice 2025 had recognised justice for children as a distinct area requiring focused attention.
According to him, the policy prioritises children’s rights awareness, expanded legal aid, restorative justice and an end to unnecessary detention of children.
It also provides for child-friendly courts and stronger institutional capacity.
“We are not starting from zero point. The foundation exists and our task now is implementation, closing the gaps and strengthening referral pathways,” Fagbemi said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Justice would provide policy leadership, legislative support and inter-agency coordination to make the justice system more child-friendly.
The outgoing NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the partnership with UNICEF was valued at N140m.
Osigwe described the initiative as a collective commitment to ensuring that every child could access justice, protection and effective legal representation.
He urged lawyers to take greater responsibility for protecting vulnerable children.
“The protection of children cannot be left solely to government institutions and social workers,” Osigwe said.
He called on every NBA branch and law firm to dedicate time, resources and expertise to pro bono child protection cases.
Osigwe said lawyers must be ready to defend children who were unlawfully detained or denied due process.
He also warned against keeping children in custody alongside adults.
“If a child is to be incarcerated, let us be there to ensure that the child is not kept with adults but in an age-appropriate facility,” he said.
The NBA president said the association would work with UNICEF to mobilise lawyers nationwide, facilitate referrals and expand quality legal representation for vulnerable children.
He challenged lawyers to turn pro bono services for children into a nationwide movement.
“When vulnerable children needed champions, members of the legal profession stood up, stepped forward and made justice accessible,” Osigwe said.
He said protecting children remained critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s future.
